First Chapter Friday The Lion of Mars Chapter 1 Read Aloud Adventurous Middle Grade Science Fiction Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-10-21 | First Chapter Friday The Lion of Mars Chapter 1 Read Aloud Adventurous Middle Grade Science Fiction
election day facts trivia quiz brain break reading comprehension Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-10-19 | Add a little fun to your learning this election season with this fun Election Day Trivia! How much do you know about the Presidential Election of the United States? It's time to test your Election Day Trivia IQ with this 20 questions political themed video quiz!PRINTABLE ANSWER SHEETS and READING COMPREHENSION PAGE HERE: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Election-Day-Trivia-Quiz-Game-Reading-Comprehension-One-Pager-Brain-Break-12398505 If you want more (or you like deals!) grab the FULL BRAIN BREAK BUNDLE (teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Trivia-Brain-Break-Bundle-for-Middle-School-8447819) or HOLIDAY BRAIN BREAK PACK (teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Holiday-Trivia-Quiz-Brain-Breaks-Video-Quizzes-and-Printable-Answer-Sheets-7856965).Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here: ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd Music Credit: 'Clear Skies' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au** The videos in this Brain Break and Trivia Playlist were created in the spirit of providing: activities for classroom use that are both educational and fun, activities for family, holiday or workplace gatherings, and as an opportunity to increase your general knowledge in a fun wayThe trivia, facts and information displayed in this video were researched and organized by Amanda Zieba. The slides displayed in the video were individually designed by Amanda Zieba using copyright free material on Canva (www.canva.com) and edited by Amanda Zieba using HD Movie Maker Pro. Video creation (fact research, slide design, video editing, audio recording) took place in Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#ElectionDay #PresidentialElection #TriviaQuiz #ElectionTrivia#PoliticalQuiz #USPolitics #CivicEducation #VotingRights #LearnAboutElections #ElectionSeason #Democracy #FunFacts #QuizTime #TestYourKnowledge #PoliticalEducation #brainbreaks #brainbreak #wordnerd #amandazieba #middleschoolela #socialstudies #socialstudiesteachers #UStrivia #holidaygames #holidaytrivia
Short Stories with the Word Nerd || Digging in the Dirt || Realistic Fiction Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-10-16 | Listen in to this super short story from the Word Nerd, Amanda Zieba! Mya can’t believe she’s actually at archaeology camp! It’s what she’s been dreaming of forever! But now that she’s here, things are quite what she imagined. Instead of discovering ancient artifacts, she’s found nothing but dirt for three days. While her fellow campers dig up exciting discoveries, Mya feels frustrated and unsure if she has what it takes to be an archaeologist. Can she stay positive and persist long enough to reignite her passion for what she thought was her dream career? Or will she pack it up and go home early? Join Mya on her journey of exploration and self-discovery, where she learns that sometimes the best finds are the ones you didn’t expect—and a little bit of humor can make the journey worthwhile!Printable Resources - COMING SOON!'Beyond These Walls' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au#MiddleSchoolReads #ReadAloud #YoungAdultFiction #ArchaeologyForKids#GrowthMindset #SelfDiscovery #LiteratureForTeens #TeachingELA#ClassroomResources #MotivationToRead #wordnerd #amandazieba #middleschoolela #StorytimeFun #shortstoriesformiddleschoolers
Short Stories with the Word Nerd || A Sky Full of Maybe || MG Science Fiction Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-10-16 | Listen in to this super short story from the Word Nerd, Amanda Zieba! Jacey is no ordinary girl—she's a reluctant survivor stranded on a desolate planet, torn from her vibrant home among two glorious moons. Seven years of grit and working in the crystal mines have turned her dreams of escape into flickering hopes. When a mysterious flash of green light streaks across the sky, Jacey dares to believe it might be her chance for rescue. Join Jacey on a night when hope, fear, and the unbreakable bond of home combine to create a story that will ignite your imagination and spark your longing for the stars.Printable Resources - COMING SOONMusic Credit: 'Path Through The Mountains' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au #MiddleSchoolReads #ReadAloud #YoungAdultFiction #SciFiForKids#SurvivalStories #LiteratureForTeens #TeachingLiterature #SpaceAdventure#CreativeWriting #Storytime #ELAResources #shortstories #ClassroomReads #MotivationToRead #wordnerd #amandazieba #ccssela #teachingtothestandards #elastandards #elaextensionactivities #teachingmiddleschoolela
First Chapter Friday Half Minute Horrors || Super Scary Short Story Anthology for Middle Schoolers Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-10-11 | Friday, October 11, 2024 - For this week’s First Chapter Friday read aloud video I’m going to do something I’ve never EVER done before. I’m going to share a book I didn’t like. I DO NOT like to be SCARED and this book scared me. It’s got dead bodies and creatures under the bed, homicidal pets and creepy babysitting jobs. I hated it. But I know that some people LOVE to be SCARED. And so, because this channel is for YOU and not ME, I’m sharing it. You’re welcome. I’ll probably have nightmares after reading half this book just to find ONE short story I was willing to share out loud! HEY TEACHERS - The Amazon reviews RAVE about this book and how reluctant readers and horror fans alike devour it. So I’m probably the only wuss who thinks it’s too disturbing and scary. That being said, maybe read a few yourself before using this First Chapter Friday and putting it on your shelf. You know your school district climate and students best. Book Blurb: How scared can you get in just thirty seconds? Dive into the shortest, scariest stories ever created, with more than seventy instant thrills from the likes of Lemony Snicket, James Patterson, Neil Gaiman, R.L. Stine, Holly Black, Brett Helquist, and Margaret Atwood. You’ll never look at your closet door, your cat, your sock drawer, or even yourself in the mirror the same way again!Grab your copy of Half Minute Horrors from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/4dMYqua Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Here’s another playlist, this one just full of spooky stories → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJaN5rstvx33I9hPg8PICpf4 Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #scarystories #creepystories #shortstories #horror #mghorror #anthology #mganthology #scarystoryanthology #halloweenbooks #spookystories #campfirestories #ghoststories #scarybooksforkids #HalfMinuteHorrors #ShortHorrorStories #MiddleSchoolReads #BookTube #BookRecommendations #HorrorAnthology #CreepyReads #ScaryBooksForKids #YoungAdultHorror #TeachersOfYouTube #ReluctantReaders #KidsLit #StoryTime #YouTubeKids #BookReview #BookCommunity #HorrorFan #ReadingChallenge
First Chapter Friday The Deadlands || MG Adventure Novel Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-10-04 | Friday, October 4, 2024 - Join us for this week’s First Chapter Friday read aloud video as we explore the thrilling and adventurous book, "The Deadlands" by Skye Melki-Wegner. If you love stories about warring kingdoms, dinosaurs, unlikely friendships, and unexpected heroes, you are going to absolutely LOVE this book! I know I did! As you watch and listen, engage with us to uncover a mystery quote hidden throughout the video—one… word… at… a… time!Blurb: Wings of Fire meets Jurassic Park in this action-adventure middle grade debut series about five outcasts―and former enemies―who are the only hope to save their warring kingdoms from impending doom. Battle rages between the dinosaur kingdoms of Cretacea. When the Fallen Star struck, it brought death and despair, ash and toxic rain. But some dinosaurs survived . . . and were changed. Their minds grew alert. They learned to speak. To dream. To wage war. As the two remaining dinosaur kingdoms fight for territory, Eleri, the disgraced son of a prince, is exiled from his home for saving an enemy soldier. Banished to the merciless Deadlands, a terrifying desert full of tar pits, poisonous gas, and ruthless carnivores, he must join forces with a group of questionable allies―including the enemy soldier he saved―to avoid becoming prey. When Eleri and his fellow exiles discover the horrific truth behind the war, the unlikely heroes must do all they can to save their kingdoms from a lurking predator. . . and a secret plot that might destroy them all.Key Themes:Middle Grade AdventureDinosaur KingdomsUnlikely HeroesFriendship and LoyaltyAction and SurvivalFantasy and AdventureDon’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more exciting read-alouds and literary adventures!Grab your copy of The Deadlands from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3TRMosA Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Or maybe check out this playlist of novels in verse → youtube.com/watch?v=YlMDUpE3nm0&list=PLpVe6VlpCwJYz6T7HqBMbDYyVahvxl3yl Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #teachertube #mglit #readaloud #middlegradebooks #booksformiddleschoolers #readaloud #chapter1 #LifeLessons #SelfDiscovery #BookCommunity #ReadersOfYouTube #StoryTime #ChildrensLiterature #FirstChapterFriday #MiddleGradeBooks #ReadAloud#AmandaZieba #BookTube #BookRecommendations #ChapterOne #BookReadAloud #BookRecommendations #TheDeadlands #SkyeMelkiWegner #MiddleGradeBooks #dinosauradventures #YoungReaders #FantasyBooks #UnlikelyHeroes #WarringKingdoms #BookReadAloud #ActionAdventure #KidsLit #FriendshipStories #BookRecommendations #literaryadventures
Louder Than Hunger First Chapter Friday Read Aloud Video for Middle Schoolers Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-10-04 | Friday, September 27, 2024 - Join us for this week’s First Chapter Friday read aloud video, where we dive into the powerful first chapter of "Louder Than Hunger," a novel in verse by revered teacher and librarian, John Schu. This compelling story addresses the serious topics of anorexia and self-expression as a vital act of survival. As you watch and listen, play along and discover the mystery quote hiding throughout the video, one… word… at… a… time!Blurb: Jake volunteers at a nursing home because he likes helping people. He likes skating and singing, playing Bingo and Name That Tune, and reading mysteries and comics aloud to his teachers. He also likes avoiding people his own age . . . and the cruelty of mirrors . . . and food. Jake has read about kids like him in books—the weird one, the outsider—and would do anything not to be that kid, including shrink himself down to nothing. But the less he eats, the bigger he feels. How long can Jake punish himself before he truly disappears? A fictionalized account of the author’s experiences and emotions living in residential treatment facilities as a young teen with an eating disorder, Louder than Hunger is a triumph of raw honesty. With a deeply personal afterword for context, this much-anticipated verse novel is a powerful model for muffling the destructive voices inside, managing and articulating pain, and embracing self-acceptance, support, and love.Grab your copy of Louder Than Hunger from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3TX7cii Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Or maybe check out this playlist of novels in verse → youtube.com/watch?v=YlMDUpE3nm0&list=PLpVe6VlpCwJYz6T7HqBMbDYyVahvxl3yl Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #teachertube #mglit #readaloud #middlegradebooks #booksformiddleschoolers #readaloud #chapter1 #LifeLessons #SelfDiscovery #BookCommunity #ReadersOfYouTube #StoryTime #ChildrensLiterature #FirstChapterFriday #MiddleGradeBooks #ReadAloud#AmandaZieba #BookTube #BookRecommendations #ChapterOne #LouderThanHunger #NovelInVerse #JohnSchu #YoungAdultFiction #EatingDisorderAwareness #MentalHealth #SelfExpression #BookReadAloud #YABooks #LiteraryDiscussion #TeenLit #VerseNovel #BookRecommendations #EmotionalResilience
First Chapter Friday Gamerville || Graphic Novel Read Aloud plus Author Interview Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-09-27 | Friday, September 20, 2024 - In this week’s First Chapter Friday, we dive into the exciting world of Gamerville! If you had to choose between playing your favorite video games and attending summer camp, what would you pick?Meet Max Lightning, a passionate gamer who has just qualified for the Gamerville championships in the multiplayer video game Lone Wolf of Calamity Bay. Just when he’s about to level up, his parents send him off to Camp Reset! Will Max be able to balance his gaming dreams with the challenges of camp life?🎤 Join Amanda Zieba, the self-proclaimed word nerd, as she reads aloud Chapter 1 of Gamerville, written and illustrated by the talented Johnnie Christmas. Stay tuned until the end of the video for an exclusive author interview with Johnnie!📚 Blurb: Max’s gaming world is turned upside down as he navigates the transition from late-night gaming sessions to outdoor camp activities. Can he escape the clutches of Camp Reset and compete in the Gamerville championships, or has he played his last match?Grab your copy of Gamerville from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3N4b8tQ Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Or maybe check out this playlist of graphic novels → Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #teachertube #mglit #readaloud #thewrongwayhome #middlegradebooks #booksformiddleschoolers #readaloud #chapter1 #LifeLessons #SelfDiscovery #BookCommunity #ReadersOfYouTube #StoryTime #BookTube #ChildrensLiterature #FirstChapterFriday #Gamerville #MiddleGradeBooks #ReadAloud #VideoGames #SummerCamp #JohnnieChristmas #AmandaZieba #KidsBooks #AuthorInterview #BookTube #BookRecommendations#GamingCommunity #ChapterOne
First Chapter Friday The Wrong Way Home || Ch 1 Read Aloud plus Author Interview Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-09-25 | Friday, September 13, 2024 - What if everything you thought you knew was a lie? In this week’s First Chapter Friday video the word nerd Amanda Zieba reads aloud chapter 1 of The Wrong Way Home, a book in which this is the reality for the main character Fern. Make sure you stay through the whole video so you can listen to the author interview with Kate O’Shaughnessy and also discover the mystery quote hidden throughout… one word at a time, like a literary treasure hunt. Blurb: Twelve-year-old Fern believes she's living a noble life--but what if everything she's been told is a lie? This is a huge-hearted story about a girl learning to question everything—and to trust in herself. Fern’s lived at the Ranch, an off-the-grid, sustainable community in upstate New York, since she was six. The work is hard, but Fern admires the Ranch's leader, Dr. Ben. So when Fern’s mother sneaks them away in the middle of the night and says Dr. Ben is dangerous, Fern doesn't believe it. She wants desperately to go back, but her mom just keeps driving. Suddenly thrust into the treacherous, toxic, outside world, Fern thinks only about how to get home again. She has a plan, but it will take time. As that time goes by, though, Fern realizes there are things she will miss from this place—the library, a friend from school, the ocean—and there are things she learned at the Ranch that are just...not true. Now Fern will have to decide. How much is she willing to give up to return to the Ranch? Should she trust Dr. Ben’s vision for her life? Or listen to the growing feeling that she can live by her own rules?Grab your copy of The Wrong Way Home from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/4ek0hYs Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #readaloud #thewrongwayhome #authorinterview #kateoshaughnessy #cult #sustainabilitycommunity #truth #whatistrue #realisticfiction #middlegradebooks #booksformiddleschoolers #readaloud #chapter1 #booksaboutcults #ComingOfAge #QuestionEverything #TrustYourself #LifeLessons #SelfDiscovery #BookCommunity #ReadersOfYouTube #StoryTime #BookTube #MiddleGradeBooks #ChildrensLiterature
First Chapter Friday The Girl Who Drank the Moon || MG Fantasy Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-09-23 | Friday, September 6, 2024 - In this week’s First Chapter Friday video the word nerd Amanda Zieba reads aloud chapter 1 of Kelly Barnhill’s Newbery Award Winning book, The Girl Who Drank the Moon. If you love magic, dragons, and myths you are going to love this epic middle grade fantasy! With more than a million copies sold, Newbery Medal winner The Girl Who Drank the Moon is a must-read for fans of classic children's literature or timeless fantasy fables. QUICK NOTE - The video says there is a mystery quote... but there is not. I'm not sure how the error occurred, but I can't add it in now that the video is posted and don't want to mess people up by changing the link with a new upload. Forgive me pretty please!!Blurb: Every year, the people of the Protectorate leave a baby as an offering to the witch who lives in the forest. They hope this sacrifice will keep her from terrorizing their town. But the witch in the Forest, Xan, is kind. She shares her home with a wise Swamp Monster and a Perfectly Tiny Dragon. Xan rescues the children and delivers them to welcoming families on the other side of the forest, nourishing the babies with starlight on the journey. One year, Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight, filling the ordinary child with extraordinary magic. Xan decides she must raise this girl, whom she calls Luna, as her own. As Luna’s thirteenth birthday approaches, her magic begins to emerge—with dangerous consequences. Meanwhile, a young man from the Protectorate is determined to free his people by killing the witch. Deadly birds with uncertain intentions flock nearby. A volcano, quiet for centuries, rumbles just beneath the earth’s surface. And the woman with the Tiger’s heart is on the prowl . . .Grab your copy of The Girl Who Drank the Moon from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3XvVpsa Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #readaloud #thegirlwhodrankthemoon #fantasy #mgfantasy #kellybarnhill #newberyaward #newberywinner #newbery2017 #middlegradebooks #booksformiddleschoolers #readaloud #chapter1 #highfantasy #bookswithdragons #bookswithmagic
2024 October Pre Planned Calendar Preview Video Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-09-22 | October 2024 - Save your time and sanity with this fang-tastic pre-planned reading and writing monthly calendar fully stocked with relevant, timely, and engaging resources for middle school ELA learners. This 130 page PDF has all the links, slides, printables and rubrics you'll need to implement the highly engaging activities inside. Many of the activities featured connect to the holiday of Halloween and the spooky feel of the month! This video showcases the following resources:A First Chapter Friday for each week (4 videos + 4 worksheets)A writing prompt for each day (slides + printable + rubric)A brain break a week (5 videos + 5 sets of printable answer sheets)2 multi-day lesson plans (This month includes lessons for teaching theme + an ABC Research Project)Additional Resources (This month includes: Reading Comprehension Strategy, What to Read Next Printable Flow Charts and a Spooky Book Playlist.)OR you can grab it on Teachers Pay Teachers here: The resources and activities highlighted on the pre-planned monthly calendar were chosen for a variety of reasons, including:Timeliness - some resources and activities align with holidays, major events and commonly highlighted monthly themes (ie: November = Gratitude, September = back to school, etc).Engagement Factor - Increased student engagement and teacher relief have always been my highest priorities. Each and every resource I offer accomplishes these goals. All resources and activities have been tested and vetted by students either in my own middle school classroom or those of other teachers who reported rave reviews. If possible, Common Core State Standards have been attached to resources and activities to help you plan accordingly and keep track of which have been covered. This Pre-Planned Monthly calendar feature resources that flow according to the CCSS Curriculum Companion (a guide created to implement the CCSS and followed by many schools nationwide) increasing the chances that the resources will align with quarterly units you already have in place. While these resources are not a curriculum in and of themselves, they can act as readily available supplements and supports to your district’s overall plan and design. Resources in this collection repeatedly cover:Story Elements:Character, Conflict, Climax, Setting, Theme, Point of View and ResolutionCCSS: RL 6.2, RL 6.3, RL 6.5, RL 6.6Genre: Including definition, exploration and identification of all genresCCSS: RL 6.9Format:Prose, novel in verse, graphic novelCCSS: RL 6.3, RL 6.9Read and comprehend literature at the 6-8th grade text complexity band,Including vocabulary acquisition (both figurative and connotative) RL 6.4, RL 6.10New calendars will be released every month. :)#wordnerd #teachercommunity #teachercollab #amandazieba #readytogoresources #studentengagement #firstchapterfriday #writingprompts #brainbreak #preplannedcalendar #tpt #teacherspayteachers #classroomgames #october2024 #wordnerdcollaborative #octoberactivities #halloweengames #halloweenactivities #middleschoolela
Halloween Idiom Trivia Game Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-09-21 | Join the Spooktacular Halloween Idiom Trivia Quiz! Get ready for a fang-tastic Halloween-themed trivia quiz that's perfect for middle school teachers and students! In this 8-minute video, we challenge you with 20 fun and spooky idiom questions, complete with answers to help enhance your English and reading skills. This interactive game is ideal for brain breaks, classroom parties, or any festive occasion! Plus, we've got printable answer sheets available for easy participation. Engage your students in a fun, educational way and watch their language skills soar! What’s Inside:20 Halloween idiom trivia questionsAnswers provided for each questionPrintable answer sheets for classroom usePerfect for English and reading classes Why Use This Video?Fun and engaging way to learn idiomsGreat for holiday-themed lessonsIdeal for group activities Let’s make learning spooky and fun! Don’t forget to subscribe for more educational content! Download the printable answer sheets here: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Halloween-Idiom-Quiz-Game-Holiday-Brain-Break-for-Grades-5-8-12240995Or the COMPLETE BRAIN BREAK BUNDLE of the Trivia answer sheets here: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Brain-Break-Bundle-for-Middle-School-8447819Check out the full playlist of Brain Breaks, holiday trivia quizzes and picture detective challenges here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJaE9T7VogM63ZaYiHcjE-me Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here: ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd Music Credit: 'Hour Of The Witch' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au** The videos in this Brain Break and Trivia Playlist were created in the spirit of providing: activities for classroom use that are both educational and fun, activities for family, holiday or workplace gatherings, and as an opportunity to increase your general knowledge in a fun way,The trivia, facts and information displayed in this video were researched and organized by Amanda Zieba. The slides displayed in the video were individually designed by Amanda Zieba using copyright free material on Canva (www.canva.com) and edited by Amanda Zieba using HD Movie Maker Pro. Video creation (fact research, slide design, video editing, audio recording) took place in Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#quizgame #triviagame #educationaltrivia #brainbreak #middleschoolbrainbreak #k12education #k12 #triviaquiz #HalloweenTrivia #IdiomQuiz #MiddleSchool #EnglishClass #ReadingFun #BrainBreaks #ClassroomActivities #SpookyLearning #EducationalGames #Halloween2024 #idioms #learningenglish #classroomgames
First Chapter Friday Capture the Flag Read Aloud Video with the Word Nerd Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-09-04 | Friday, August 30, 2024 - In this week’s First Chapter Friday video the word nerd Amanda Zieba reads aloud chapter 1 of Capture the Flag by the ever-incredible author Kate Messner. If you like mysteries, US history, this book is PERFECT for you! If you like unlikely heroes, chasing down the bad guys, and secret societies, then you’ll love this book too. This book is the first in a series of 3 mysteries. Make sure you stay through the whole video so you can discover the mystery quote hidden throughout… one word at a time, like a literary treasure hunt. Blurb: Anna, José, and Henry are complete strangers with more in common than they realize. Snowed in together at a chaotic Washington D.C. airport, they encounter a mysterious tattooed man, a flamboyant politician, and a rambunctious poodle named for an ancient king. Even stranger, news stations everywhere have announced that the famous flag that inspired "The Star-Spangled Banner" has been stolen! Anna, certain that the culprits must be snowed in too, recruits Henry and José to help catch the thieves and bring them to justice. But when accusations start flying, they soon realize there's more than justice at stake. As the snow starts clearing, Anna, José, and Henry find themselves in a race against time (and the weather!) to prevent the loss of an American treasure.Teachers, if you plan to use the full novel in class, check out this educator’s guide jam-packed with extension activities, discussion questions and more! school.teachingbooks.net/media/pdf/Scholastic/CaptureFlagDG.pdf Grab your copy of Capture the Flag from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/47ee5RA Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #readaloud #capturetheflagbook #mgbookseries #mgmystery #middlegrademystery #katemessner #middlegradebooks #booksformiddleschoolers #readaloud #chapter1 #capturetheflag #americanflag #firstamericanflag #secretsociety #stuckattheairport #silverjaguarsociety
Absolutely Truly First Chapter Friday Read Aloud Video with the Word Nerd Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-09-04 | Friday, August 23, 2024 - In this week’s First Chapter Friday video the word nerd Amanda Zieba reads aloud chapter 1 of Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick. In this story, the main character finds an unsent letter in a first edition copy of Charlotte’s Web and it leads to a hunt for treasure in this heartwarming middle grade mystery. Bookstores, snail mail, and a treasure hunt!?!?!? Yes please! Also, if you are a kid in a military family, you’ll definitely be interested in reading this book! Make sure you stay through the whole video so you can discover the secret book quote hidden throughout… one word at a time, like a literary treasure hunt. This book is the first in a series of 4 mysteries.Blurb: Now that Truly Lovejoy’s father has been injured by an IED in Afghanistan and is having trouble finding work back home, the family moves from Texas to tiny Pumpkin Falls, New Hampshire, to take over Lovejoy’s Books, a struggling bookstore that’s been in the family for one hundred years. With two older brothers and two younger sisters clamoring for attention, her mother back in school, and everyone up to their eyebrows trying to keep Lovejoy’s Books afloat, Truly feels more overlooked than usual. So she pours herself into uncovering the mystery of an undelivered letter she finds stuck in a valuable autographed first edition of Charlotte’s Web, which subsequently goes missing from the bookshop. What’s inside the envelope leads Truly and her new Pumpkin Falls friends on a madcap treasure hunt around town, chasing clues that could spell danger.Grab your copy of Absolutely Truly from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/47hgoDK Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #readaloud #absolutelytruly #mgbookseries #mgmystery #middlegrademystery #heathervogelfrederick #middlegradebooks #booksformiddleschoolers #readaloud #chapter1 #militaryfamily #ied #iedinjury #militaryinjury #bookstore
Things Not Seen First Chapter Friday Read Aloud Video with the Word Nerd Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-09-04 | Friday, August 16, 2024 - In this week’s First Chapter Friday video the word nerd Amanda Zieba reads aloud chapter 1 of Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements. If you have ever wished to be invisible, read this book to find out what that might really be like! Spoiler alert… its a lot more trouble than you might imagine and it’s totally what happens to the main character in this book. This is the first book in a series of 3. Make sure you stay through the whole video so you can discover the secret book quote hidden throughout… one word at a time, like a literary treasure hunt. Blurb: Bobby Phillips is an average fifteen-year-old-boy. Until the morning he wakes up and can't see himself in the mirror. Not blind, not dreaming-Bobby is just plain invisible. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to Bobby's new condition; even his dad the physicist can't figure it out. For Bobby that means no school, no friends, no life. He's a missing person. Then he meets Alicia. She's blind, and Bobby can't resist talking to her, trusting her. But people are starting to wonder where Bobby is. Bobby knows that his invisibility could have dangerous consequences for his family and that time is running out. He has to find out how to be seen again-before it's too late. Winner of American Library Association Schneider Family Book Award! Grab your copy of Things Not Seen from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3Td8hlC Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #readaloud #invisible #invisibility #middlegradebooks #booksformiddleschoolers #readaloud #chapter1 #andrewclements #blindcharacter #blindness #awardwinningbooks #schneiderbookaward #americanlibraryassociation #mgmystery #bookseries #middlegradeseries #mgbookseries
The Misfits Ch 1 Read Aloud || Name Calling Bullying Book Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-08-31 | Friday, August 9, 2024 - In this week’s First Chapter Friday video the word nerd Amanda Zieba reads aloud chapter 1 of The Misfits by James Howe. If you are looking for a book that can be both entertaining and a way to guide you through handling a bullying situation, specifically one with nasty name calling, this one is perfect. In my opinion, this is a must read for all middle schoolers and those who have middle schoolers in their lives. Make sure you stay through the whole video so you can discover the secret book quote hidden throughout… one word at a time, like a literary treasure hunt. Blurb: Kids who get called the worst names oftentimes find each other. That's how it was with us. Skeezie Tookis and Addie Carle and Joe Bunch and me. We call ourselves the Gang of Five, but there are only four of us. We do it to keep people on their toes. Make 'em wonder. Or maybe we do it because we figure that there's one more kid out there who's going to need a gang to be a part of. A misfit, like us. Skeezie, Addie, Joe, and Bobby -- they've been friends forever. They laugh together, have lunch together, and get together once a week at the Candy Kitchen to eat ice cream and talk about important issues. Life isn't always fair, but at least they have each other -- and all they really want to do is survive the seventh grade. That turns out to be more of a challenge than any of them had anticipated. Starting with Addie's refusal to say the Pledge of Allegiance and her insistence on creating a new political party to run for student council, the Gang of Five is in for the ride of their lives. Along the way they will learn about politics and popularity, love and loss, and what it means to be a misfit. After years of getting by, they are given the chance to stand up and be seen -- not as the one-word jokes their classmates have tried to reduce them to, but as the full, complicated human beings they are just beginning to discover they truly are.Grab your copy of The Misfits from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3Z8Zntm Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #themisfits #jameshowe #readaloud #antibullying #nonamecalling #middlegradebooks #booksformiddleschoolers #readaloud #chapter1 #misfits
Picture Detective Brain Break Game from the Word Nerd || Fun for All Ages Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-08-22 | Looking for a quick and engaging classroom activity to energize your students? Try this Picture Detective game—four, 4 minute rounds of an exciting photo guessing challenge, perfect for icebreakers or brain breaks. In this interactive game, participants guess everyday items from extreme close-up photos. The game features four rounds of 10 high-resolution images, each displayed for 10 seconds. After all images are shown, answers are revealed. This activity encourages student interaction and discussion, making it a fun way to break up class time. Pause the video to let students share their guesses with a partner or the entire class and enjoy their reactions as the answers are unveiled. Ideal for teachers seeking dynamic classroom activities and engaging educational games… or maybe tell the students to complete the game silently and give yourself a little break from the chaos in the classroom. :) Not a teacher? Not a problem! This activity is fun for all ages and could be used at a team building event, work gathering, during a meeting or conference and more. Family reunion game, after school club activity, or as a midday brain break at your desk! So many options and opportunities! NOTE: This is an updated version of this game that was originally released in 2021. I'm sorry for any confusion that was had in finding this new video link! To get the printable answer sheets (modified answer sheets for younger students or students with special needs also included) click here: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Brain-Break-and-Fun-Friday-Activity-6690792 Or my full Brain Break Bundle (34 trivia brain breaks and counting!) click here: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Trivia-Brain-Break-Bundle-for-Middle-School-8447819 Check out the rest of the Word Nerd's brain break playlist! youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJaE9T7VogM63ZaYiHcjE-me Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here: ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd 'Electric Dreams' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au** The videos in this Brain Break and Trivia Playlist were created in the spirit of providing: activities for classroom use that are both educational and fun, activities for family, holiday or workplace gatherings, and as an opportunity to increase your general knowledge in a fun wayThe trivia, facts and information displayed in this video were researched and organized by Amanda Zieba. The slides displayed in the video were individually designed by Amanda Zieba using copyright free material on Canva (www.canva.com) and edited by Amanda Zieba using HD Movie Maker Pro. Video creation (fact research, slide design, video editing, audio recording) took place in Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#ClassroomActivities #TeachingResources #IcebreakerGames #EducationalGames #StudentEngagement #PictureQuiz #InteractiveLearning #ClassroomBreaks #FunLearning #QuickClassroomActivities #brainbreak #wordnerd #amandazieba #picturedetective #zoomgames #onlinelearninggames #distancedlearning #funfriday #whatisit #middleschoolbrainbreak
First Chapter Friday Coyote Lost and Found (plus Author Interview with the Word Nerd) Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-08-21 | Friday, August 2, 2024, 2024 - I’ve been waiting a long time, four year to be exact, for the next Coyote book. And now that it’s here, it did NOT disappoint. If you loved riding along with spunky Coyote and her dad, Rodeo, in The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise... as they traveled in their bus-house… tailing along for all of their adventures and the people they met… you are going to love this companion novel, Coyote Lost and Found, too. After I tell you why I loved it so much and read you chapter 1, listen in as we get the chance to chat with the author, Dan Gemeinhart, about the numerous places he’s lived, his writing process, and more! Book Blurb: From #1 New York Times-bestselling author Dan Gemeinhart comes a standalone companion to the critically-acclaimed The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise about a father and daughter who venture on a moving, uplifting, and rollicking cross-country road trip. An Instant New York Times bestseller! It's been almost a year since Coyote and her dad left the road behind and settled down in a small Oregon town. . . time spent grieving the loss of her mom and sisters and trying to fit in at school. But just as life is becoming a new version of normal, Coyote discovers a box containing her mom’s ashes. And she thinks she might finally be ready to say goodbye. So Coyote and her dad gear up for an epic cross-country road trip to scatter the ashes at her mom’s chosen resting place. The only problem? Coyote has no idea where that resting place is―and the secret’s hidden in a book that Coyote mistakenly sold last year, somewhere in the country. Now, it’s up to Coyote to track down the treasured book . . . without her dad ever finding out that it’s lost. It’s time to fire up their trusty bus, Yager, pick up some old friends, discover some new ones, and hit the road on another unforgettable adventure.Grab your copy of Coyote Lost and Found from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3Aw3oxJ Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #parentdeath #roadtrip #buslife #lifeontheroad #dangemeinhart #comingofage #middlegradebooks #fatherdaughter #familylife #booksondeathanddying #greifbooksforteens #griefbooksfortweens #sadbooksforkids #ontheroadagain #coyotesunrise #coyotelostandfound #coyotebook2
First Chapter Friday Invisible (graphic novel) Read Aloud Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-08-20 | Friday, July 26, 2024 - For this week’s First Chapter Friday read aloud video I’m going share the first few pages of the bilingual graphic novel Invisible written by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and illustrated by Gabriela Epstein. Unexpected friendships, a mystery, a middle school setting… there is truly a little bit of something for EVERYONE in this book Side note: it would be the perfect classroom library addition for an English/Spanish ESL classroom!Book Blurb: Can five overlooked kids make one big difference? There's George: the brain, Sara: the loner, Dayara: the tough kid, Nico: the rich kid, And Miguel: the athlete. And they're stuck together when they're forced to complete their school's community service hours. Although they're sure they have nothing in common with one another, some people see them as all the same . . . just five Spanish-speaking kids. Then they meet someone who truly needs their help, and they must decide whether they are each willing to expose their own secrets to help . . . or if remaining invisible is the only way to survive middle school. With text in English and Spanish, Invisible features a groundbreaking format paired with an engaging, accessible, and relatable storyline. This Breakfast Club-inspired story by Christina Diaz Gonzalez, award-winning author of Concealed, and Gabriela Epstein, illustrator of two Baby-Sitters Club graphic novel adaptations, is a must-have graphic novel about unexpected friendships and being seen for who you really are.Grab your copy of Invisible (graphic novel) from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3AuiVOq Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB And this one too, my graphic novel playlist → youtube.com/watch?v=Z0QN5plI7d0&list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZ_OJxcw3r7rsWxlPbfdEew You can hear from both the author and the illustrator in this video: youtube.com/watch?v=Z_f4D_W9aX8 (0:00 - 1:32) Hear from author Christina Diaz Gonzalez about the unique elements of this book including the bilingual and POV aspects. (5:08-7:42) - Hear from illustrator Gabriela Epstein about her processWanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #invisible #invisiblegraphicnovel #bilingualbooks #multilingualbooks#mgmystery #middlegrademystery #middleschool #startingmiddleschool #eslbooks #christinadiazgonzalez #spanishspeakers #espanolgraphicnovel #booksforyourclassroom #graphicnovel #middlegradebooks #gabrielaepstein #latinxcreators # #scholasticgraphix #scholasticinc
September Pre Planned Calendar Video Preview Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-08-19 | SEPTEMBER 2024 - Save your time and sanity with this incredible pre-planned reading and writing monthly calendar fully stocked with relevant, timely, and engaging resources for middle school ELA learners. This 143 page PDF has all the links, slides, printables and rubrics you'll need to implement the highly engaging activities inside. (View the preview file to get a sneak peek at ALL the word nerd goodness inside this comprehensive resource!!)This resource includes:A First Chapter Friday for each week (4 videos + 4 worksheets)A writing prompt for each day (slides + printable + rubric)A brain break a week (4 videos + 4 sets of printable answer sheets)3 multi-day lesson plans (This month includes lessons for teaching setting and genre + a library scavenger hunt activity you can use multiple times.)Additional Resources (This month includes: Mystery Quote Resource, Timer Videos, and First Chapter Friday Display Posters.)You can get access to this pre-planned calendar and a whole lot more word nerd goodness by joining the Word Nerd Collaborative (monthly or yearly) membership. Click here to learn more: www.wordnerdcollaborative.com.OR you can grab it on Teachers Pay Teachers here: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-SEPTEMBER-Reading-and-Writing-Monthly-Pre-Planned-Calendar-6-8-12053220The resources and activities highlighted on the pre-planned monthly calendar were chosen for a variety of reasons, including:Timeliness - some resources and activities align with holidays, major events and commonly highlighted monthly themes (ie: November = Gratitude, September = back to school, etc).Engagement Factor - Increased student engagement and teacher relief have always been my highest priorities. Each and every resource I offer accomplishes these goals. All resources and activities have been tested and vetted by students either in my own middle school classroom or those of other teachers who reported rave reviews. If possible, Common Core State Standards have been attached to resources and activities to help you plan accordingly and keep track of which have been covered. This Pre-Planned Monthly calendar feature resources that flow according to the CCSS Curriculum Companion (a guide created to implement the CCSS and followed by many schools nationwide) increasing the chances that the resources will align with quarterly units you already have in place. While these resources are not a curriculum in and of themselves, they can act as readily available supplements and supports to your district’s overall plan and design. Resources in this collection repeatedly cover:Story Elements:Character, Conflict, Climax, Setting, Theme, Point of View and ResolutionCCSS: RL 6.2, RL 6.3, RL 6.5, RL 6.6Genre: Including definition, exploration and identification of all genresCCSS: RL 6.9Format:Prose, novel in verse, graphic novelCCSS: RL 6.3, RL 6.9Read and comprehend literature at the 6-8th grade text complexity band,Including vocabulary acquisition (both figurative and connotative) RL 6.4, RL 6.10New calendars will be released every month. :)#wordnerd #teachercommunity #teachercollab #amandazieba #readytogoresources #studentengagement #firstchapterfriday #writingprompts #brainbreak #preplannedcalendar #tpt #teacherspayteachers #classroomgames
Brain Break Wacky Fact Trivia Quiz Game for Middle Schoolers from the Word Nerd Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-08-16 | Brain breaks are a super important part of the day. We all need a chance to relax and have a little fun in the classroom! This fun Friday activity is a great way to switch gears and engage students in a stress free, critical thinking challenge. This video features a trivia quiz game with 20 wacky fact questions and answers along with activity instructions and downloadable answer sheets created for you by the Word Nerd (Amanda Zieba). Grab the printable answer sheets here: COMING SOON!Or the COMPLETE BRAIN BREAK BUNDLE of the Trivia answer sheets here: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Brain-Break-Bundle-for-Middle-School-8447819Check out the full playlist of Brain Breaks, holiday trivia quizzes and picture detective challenges on YouTube here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJaE9T7VogM63ZaYiHcjE-me Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here: ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd Music Credit: 'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au** The videos in this Brain Break and Trivia Playlist were created in the spirit of providing: activities for classroom use that are both educational and fun, activities for family, holiday or workplace gatherings, and as an opportunity to increase your general knowledge in a fun wayThe trivia, facts and information displayed in this video were researched and organized by Amanda Zieba. The slides displayed in the video were individually designed by Amanda Zieba using copyright free material on Canva (www.canva.com) and edited by Amanda Zieba using HD Movie Maker Pro. Video creation (fact research, slide design, video editing, audio recording) took place in Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#backtoschool #backtoschoollesson #quizgame #firstweeklesson #triviagame #educationaltrivia #brainbreak #middleschoolbrainbreak #k12education #k12 #backtoschooltime #didyouknow #generaltrivia #funfacts #funfactsforkids #classroomgames
Author Trivia Quiz Game || Brain Break for Middle Schoolers Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-08-13 | This author quiz game is part brain break and part sneaky book introduction strategy and perfect for when you and your students need a quick break. The cover of a middle grade book and a fact about an author will appear on screen. Students will pick an answer from the multiple choice options (printable answer sheets linked below). Then check your answers and learn a bit about each featured book. If you see a story that interests you, write down the title, and then get to reading! As I tell my kids every morning as they leave for school, "Learn lots, have fun, and make good choices!" If you want to listen to the first chapter of each book featured in this trivia game, click the below links:1. Across the Desert - youtu.be/sbfUn97SdlM 2. A Rover's Story - youtu.be/7I5RwXp0Wp03. Ghost - youtu.be/76ByT-GWtZw4A. A Wish the Dark - youtu.be/n_peRFiaj7I 4B. All Thirteen - youtu.be/W19bYP9N8pk 5. Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer - youtu.be/PfSlKKqbAeY 6. Red, White, and Whole - youtu.be/g80ircRO9yI7. The Invention of Hugo Cabret - youtu.be/2AplIUYSVmQ 8. A Night Divided - youtu.be/30dlMRY9spU9. The Lightning Thief - youtu.be/i7m5veiEMuU10. Front Desk - youtu.be/AzjleiY1PwUGrab the printable answer sheets here: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Author-Trivia-Brain-Break-Quiz-Reading-Recommendations-12025394 Or the COMPLETE BRAIN BREAK BUNDLE of the Trivia answer sheets here: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Brain-Break-Bundle-for-Middle-School-8447819Check out the full playlist of Brain Breaks, holiday trivia quizzes and picture detective challenges here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJaE9T7VogM63ZaYiHcjE-me Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here: ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd Music Credit: 'Yellow' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au** The videos in this Brain Break and Trivia Playlist were created in the spirit of providing: activities for classroom use that are both educational and fun, activities for family, holiday or workplace gatherings, and as an opportunity to increase your general knowledge in a fun wayThe trivia, facts and information displayed in this video were researched and organized by Amanda Zieba. The slides displayed in the video were individually designed by Amanda Zieba using copyright free material on Canva (www.canva.com) and edited by Amanda Zieba using HD Movie Maker Pro. Video creation (fact research, slide design, video editing, audio recording) took place in Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#backtoschool #author #authorfacts #backtoschoollesson #quizgame #firstweeklesson #triviagame #educationaltrivia #brainbreak #middleschoolbrainbreak #k12education #k12 #backtoschooltime #didyouknow #whatshouldiread #middlegradebooks #authorlife #triviaquiz
Duel a Graphic Novel Read Aloud Video with the Word Nerd Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-08-09 | Friday, July 19, 2024 - For this week’s First Chapter Friday read aloud video I’m going share chapter one of the graphic novel, Duel, written by Jessixa Bagley and illustrated by Aaron Bagley. If you are heading to middle school for the first time, have an intense sibling rivalry in your household, love the sport of fencing or are a fan of graphic novels, this book is perfect for you!Book Blurb: A rivalry between sisters culminates in a fencing duel in this funny and emotional debut graphic novel sure to appeal to readers of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale. Sixth grader Lucy loves fantasy novels and is brand-new to middle school. GiGi is the undisputed queen bee of eighth grade (as well as everything else she does). They’ve only got one thing in common: fencing. Oh, and they’re sisters. They never got along super well, but ever since their dad died, it seems like they’re always at each other’s throats. When GiGi humiliates Lucy in the cafeteria on the first day of school, Lucy snaps and challenges GiGi to a duel with high sisterly stakes. If GiGi wins, Lucy promises to stay out of GiGi’s way; if Lucy wins, GiGi will stop teasing Lucy for good. But after their scene in the cafeteria, both girls are on thin ice with the principal and their mom. Lucy stopped practicing fencing after their fencer dad died and will have to get back to fighting form in secret or she’ll be in big trouble. And GiGi must behave perfectly or risk getting kicked off the fencing team. As the clock ticks down to the girls’ fencing bout, the anticipation grows. Their school is divided into GiGi and Lucy factions, complete with t-shirts declaring kids’ allegiances. Both sisters are determined to triumph. But will winning the duel mean fracturing their family even further?Grab your copy of Duel (graphic novel) from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/4fI9oDF Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB And this one too, my graphic novel playlist → youtube.com/watch?v=Z0QN5plI7d0&list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZ_OJxcw3r7rsWxlPbfdEew Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #duel #duelgraphicnovel #middleschool #startingmiddleschool #siblingrivalry #fencing #jessixabagley #aaronbagley #booksforyourclassroom #graphicnovel #middlegradebooks #duelbook
Word Nerd Collaborative Webinar Replay Full Version Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-08-05 | I want to invite you to join the Word Nerd Collaborative, a membership in which we work together to reclaim teacher time, increase student engagement, and have fun in the classroom. This is the full version of the webinar... all the strategies, all the stories, all the details you need to know about joining the Word Nerd Collaborative and make this next school year your best yet! What’s waiting for you in this magical middle grade membership? I’m glad you asked! 1. Access to full Word Nerd Collaborative site and ALL Resources2. Pre-Planned Monthly Calendar w/ quick access links to all listed resources (both digitally and to print)3. Monthly Plan with me Session (Zoom) 4. Live Monthly Lunch Bunch with authors (Zoom)5. Private Facebook group with weekly opportunities to ask questions, connect and collaborateI created this so that middle school ELA teachers can do their job effectively and still have a life outside of school. We can’t change the job, but we can change the way we do it, and I'd love To check it all out for yourself, click here: www.wordnerdcollaborative.com
Word Nerd Collaborative Webinar Replay Short and Sweet Version Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-08-05 | I want to invite you to join the Word Nerd Collaborative, a membership in which we work together to reclaim teacher time, increase student engagement, and have fun in the classroom. This is the short and sweet version... all the details you need to know about joining the Word Nerd Collaborative and make this next school year your best yet... ASAP! What’s waiting for you in this magical middle grade membership? I’m glad you asked! 1. Access to full Word Nerd Collaborative site and ALL Resources2. Pre-Planned Monthly Calendar w/ quick access links to all listed resources (both digitally and to print)3. Monthly Plan with me Session (Zoom) 4. Live Monthly Lunch Bunch with authors (Zoom)5. Private Facebook group with weekly opportunities to ask questions, connect and collaborateI created this so that middle school ELA teachers can do their job effectively and still have a life outside of school. We can’t change the job, but we can change the way we do it, and I'd love To check it all out for yourself, click here: www.wordnerdcollaborative.com
5 Good Things For Teachers ep 21 July 25 2024 Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-07-23 | I am so stinking excited for this edition’s line up of 5 GOOD THINGS. Things I’ve been working on behind the scenes are FINALLY ready to bring into the world and I just can’t wait for you to see them. So, without wasting a second longer, let’s dive into it. Here’s this edition’s line up1. Plan. Teach. Repeat. Planner2. 100 Free Welcome Slides3. Back to School Trivia4. The Word Nerd in The Week Jr.5. Canva Teacher CertificationGood Thing #1 - Plan. Teach. Repeat. PlannerPaperback - amzn.to/3YgakbZHardcover - amzn.to/3Wy0CQQBut, if you are the kind of person who loves a deal… perhaps hold off on ordering… because if you come to one of my zoom meetings on August 1st or 2nd, I’m going to tell you how you can get a paperback version for FREE. If you are already registered, no need to do anything different. If not, you can sign up (and pick your preferred time) here. https://forms.gle/M3FJgm4mqpQF3bgy7 Good Thing #2 - 100 Free Welcome Slides Visit this Instagram post to get all the details! instagram.com/p/C8kR0xSRj0hGood Thing #3 - Back to School TriviaVideo link: youtube.com/watch?v=I6jDrw9i59E TpT Link: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Trivia-Brain-Break-for-Middle-Schoolers-School-Around-the-World-11759857Good Thing #4 - The Word Nerd in The Week Jr.Timely, educational, and engaging reading material delivered to your classroom each week?!?!? What’s not to love? theweekjunior.com Good Thing #5 - Canva Teacher Certificationcanva.com/newsroom/news/teacher-certifications** There are zero sponsorship or affiliates in this email. I just love what I love and wanted to pass them along, lol. Not that affiliates are bad, but I feel compelled to tell you when I’m doing them. ** #teachingtips #lessonplan #lessonplanforteachers #planner #teacherplanner #5goodthings #teachingideas #theweekjr #canva #kidsmagazine #backtoschool #backtoschool #mglit #brainbreaks #brainbreak #funideasforteachers #amandazieba #wordnerd
Parachute Kids Graphic Novel Read Aloud Video with the Word Nerd Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-07-12 | Friday, July 12, 2024 - For this week’s First Chapter Friday read aloud video I’m going the first few pages of the graphic novel, Parachute Kids, written and illustrated by Betty C. Tang. This book does a wonderful job of giving a close up view of the life of someone who immigrates to America. A real “windows and mirrors” opportunity for both readers born in the US and those who move here. Needless to say, because you are finding it on my channel, I loved it and think you will too! So let’s dive in! :) Book Blurb: A DREAM TRIP TO AMERICA TURNS INTO A NIGHTMARE! Feng-Li can’t wait to discover America with her family! But after an action-packed vacation, her parents deliver shocking news: They are returning to Taiwan and leaving Feng-Li and her older siblings in California on their own. Suddenly, the three kids must fend for themselves in a strange new world―and get along. Starting a new school, learning a new language, and trying to make new friends while managing a household is hard enough, but Bro and Sis’s constant bickering makes everything worse. Thankfully, there are some hilarious moments to balance the stress and loneliness. But as tensions escalate―and all three kids get tangled in a web of bad choices―can Feng-Li keep her family together?Grab your copy of Parachute Kids (graphic novel) from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3xUgXG4 Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB And this one too, my graphic novel playlist → youtube.com/watch?v=Z0QN5plI7d0&list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZ_OJxcw3r7rsWxlPbfdEew Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #parachutekids #immigration #chineseimmigration #chinesechildreninamerica #chineseimmigrants #booksforyourclassroom #graphicnovel #middlegradebooks #bettyctang #parachutekidsbook
Bomb Graphic Novel First Chapter Friday Read Aloud Video (pages on screen) Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-07-05 | Friday, July 5, 2024 - For this week’s First Chapter Friday read aloud video I’m going the first few pages of the exhilarating graphic novel version of Steve Sheinkin’s award winning book, Bomb, illustrated by the talented Nick Bertozzi. The Wall Street Journal said, “This superb and exciting work of nonfiction would be a fine tonic for any jaded adolescent who thinks history is 'boring.' It's also an excellent primer for adult readers who may have forgotten, or never learned, the remarkable story of how nuclear weaponry was first imagined, invented and deployed―and of how an international arms race began well before there was such a thing as an atomic bomb.” And I couldn’t agree more. This book sucked me in and didn’t let go until the very end… and even then I wanted more. If you are looking for an exciting, edge of your seat book that involves danger, treachery, science, history, political drama, and behind the scenes facts about events that shaped our world… this is the book for you! Book Blurb: In December of 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery: When placed next to radioactive material, a Uranium atom split in two. That simple discovery launched a scientific race that spanned three continents. In Great Britain and the United States, Soviet spies worked their way into the scientific community; in Norway, a commando force slipped behind enemy lines to attack German heavy-water manufacturing; and deep in the desert, one brilliant group of scientists, led by "father of the atomic bomb" J. Robert Oppenheimer, was hidden away at a remote site at Los Alamos. This is the story of the plotting, the risk-taking, the deceit, and genius that created the world's most formidable weapon. This is the story of the atomic bomb.Accessible, gripping, and educational, this new edition of Bomb is perfect for young readers and adults alike. A riveting graphic novel adaptation of the award-winning nonfiction book, Bomb―the fascinating and frightening true story of the creation behind the most destructive force that birthed the arms race and the Cold War.Grab your copy of Bomb (graphic novel) from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3zuk3RH I’d also recommend getting the original version of this book to deepen your knowledge and reading experience! amzn.to/3zuUccm Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB And this one too, my graphic novel playlist → youtube.com/watch?v=Z0QN5plI7d0&list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZ_OJxcw3r7rsWxlPbfdEew Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #bombbook #bombgraphicnovel #bombstevesheinkin #oppenheimer #atomicbomb #mgnonfiction #yanonfiction #booksforyourclassroom #stevesheinkin #nickbertozzi #mggraphicnovel #nonfictiongraphicnovel #graphicnovel #middlegradebooks #coldwar #armsrace #hiroshima #nagasaki #losalamos
5 Good Things For Teachers || Episode 20 - July 4, 2024 Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-07-03 | Hey, hey there Teacher Friend. I know we are smack dab in the middle of summer. I really hate to interrupt you, but the 5 GOOD THINGS I've rounded up for you this time are just too good to keep to myself or to make you wait. So let's jump into it. In this edition, you’ll find…1. MS ELA SUMMIT ALL ACCESS PASS WINNERS2. The Word Nerd Collaborative3. Graphic Novels in Libraries Month4. Scrabble Vocabulary Game5. School Supplies… As if!Good Thing #MS1: ELA Summit Winners: Vicki W., Gwen P. , Michelle B.If you didn’t win and still want to join us (because seriously, $29 for a 5 day conference, a bonus resource from every presenter and unlimited access for a year is a screaming good deal) click here: amandazieba--msela.thrivecart.com/2024-msela-all-access-pass Good Thing #The2: Word Nerd Collaborative Zoom Sign Up Link:https://forms.gle/g61giFbXkmjN3EU49 Good Thing #3: Graphic Novels in Libraries MonthFirst Chapter Friday Graphic Novel playlist: youtube.com/watch?v=Z0QN5plI7d0&list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZ_OJxcw3r7rsWxlPbfdEew A few of my fav graphic novels: A First Time for Everything youtu.be/Z0QN5plI7d0 Dragon Hoops youtu.be/FmVua9BXSs4 Global youtu.be/AE-KuSI0HLc Good Thing #Vocab4: Scramble Gameinstagram.com/reel/C5deZS3L6cI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Good Thing #5: School Supplies... As If! Click the link to see the Clueless School Supply GIF: instagram.com/p/C8xzPG3AH9s If we aren’t already IG friends, follow me and I’ll follow you back. That way we can tag each other in funny posts like this one. instagram.com/wordnerd_amandazieba Top Notch Teaching Resources: amandazieba.com/top-notch-teaching-resources Educational Discounts Website: myeducationdiscount.com Okay, that’s it for now! I hope to see you at the Lesson Plan Freebie event on August 1st or 2nd! If you got lost in your scrolling and already forgot, no worries. Been there, done that. You can pick your time slot and register here. Happy Summer, Teacher Friends!~ Amanda#firstchapterfriday #teachervlog #teachingtips #middleschoolela #membership #teacherdiscounts #teacherdeals #teachermembership #wordnerd #amandazieba #wordnerdcollaborative #colaborate #teachercollab #graphicnovels #graphicnovelmonth #graphicnovelsinlibraries #teacherresources #scrabblegame #vocabgame #mselasummit #educationalconference #onlineconference #elasummit
First Chapter Friday Big Rig || MG Realistic Fiction Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-07-02 | Friday, June 28, 2024 - For this week’s First Chapter Friday read aloud video I’m going to share chapter one from the middle grade realistic fiction book, Big Rig by Louise Hawes. If you are looking for a coming of age story about a girl with a unique living situation, this is the book for you. Hitch a ride with eleven-year-old Hazmat and her dad in their eighteen-wheeler, Leonardo, for a feel-good road trip across America that keeps on trucking!Book Blurb: Life on the road with Daddy is as good as it gets for Hazmat. Together, they’ve been taking jobs and crisscrossing the US for years. Now Daddy’s talking about putting down roots— somewhere Hazmat can go to a real school and make friends. Somewhere Daddy doesn’t have to mail-order textbooks about “nature’s promise to all women.” Somewhere Mom’s ashes can rest on a mantel and not on a dashboard. While everything just keeps changing, sometimes in ways she can’t control, Hazmat isn’t ready to give up the freedom of long-distance hauling. Sure the road is filled with surprises, from plane crashes and robo trucks, to runaway hitchhikers and abandoned babies, but that all makes for great stories! So Hazmat hatches a plan to make sure Daddy’s dream never becomes a reality. Because there’s only one place Hazmat belongs: in the navigator’s seat, right next to Daddy, with the whole country flying by and each day different from the last. Award-winning author Louise Hawes writes with an easy, conversational voice and an “I’ll never grow up” spirit that cheerfully thumbs its nose at traditional coming-of-age narratives. This heart-tugging, laugh-out-loud portrait of a father and daughter is a satisfying journey across modern America you won’t want to miss.Grab your copy of Big Rig from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3RTOZkK Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #bigrig #lifeontheroad #louishawes #comingofage #middlegradebooks #trucking #fatherdaughter #familylife #booksondeathanddying #hazmat
Back to School Trivia || 20 Q and A About Education Around the World from the Word Nerd Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-06-25 | Add a little fun to your classroom as you head back to school? This trivia game is the perfect first week of school activity. How much do you and your students know about education around the world? Or about pencils, school buses and crayons? Test your Trivia IQ with this 20 question school themed video quiz (all in less than ten minutes)! Tell me in the comments, how many did you guess correctly? Happy back to school season! I hope you all have a great year. :) Grab the printable answer sheets here: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Trivia-Brain-Break-for-Middle-Schoolers-School-Around-the-World-11759857Or the COMPLETE BRAIN BREAK BUNDLE of my Trivia answer sheets here: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Brain-Break-Bundle-for-Middle-School-8447819Check out the full playlist of Brain Breaks, holiday trivia quizzes and picture detective challenges here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJaE9T7VogM63ZaYiHcjE-me The following websites were used to research the facts presented in this trivia quiz:facts.net/general/19-interesting-school-facts bluewatercredit.com/35-fun-facts-back-school-phenomenon visual.ly/community/Infographics/education/fast-facts-back-school upkeep.com/learning/education-industry-stats https://brainweave.in/integration-of-technology-into-education-2/ rd.com/list/school-days-around-the-world Book: Adventures to School by Baptiste and Miranda Paul amzn.to/3xnPzQL Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here: ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd Music Credit: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au** The videos in this Brain Break and Trivia Playlist were created in the spirit of providing: activities for classroom use that are both educational and fun, activities for family, holiday or workplace gatherings, and as an opportunity to increase your general knowledge in a fun wayThe trivia, facts and information displayed in this video were researched and organized by Amanda Zieba. The slides displayed in the video were individually designed by Amanda Zieba using copyright free material on Canva (www.canva.com) and edited by Amanda Zieba using HD Movie Maker Pro. Video creation (fact research, slide design, video editing, audio recording) took place in Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#backtoschool #september #educationfacts #backtoschoollesson #firstweeklesson #backtoschooltrivia #triviagame #educationaltrivia #brainbreak #middleschoolbrainbreak #k12education #k12 #backtoschooltime #didyouknow #aroundtheworldtrivia
Blue Color Trivia Video Quiz Game || Brain Break with the Word Nerd Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-06-24 | Brain breaks are a super important part of the day. We all need a chance to relax and have a little fun in the classroom! This activity is a great way to switch gears and engage students in a stress free, critical thinking challenge. Great for Trivia Tuesday or Fun Friday! This video features a trivia quiz game with 20 BLUE-color-themed questions and answers along with activity instructions, and downloadable answer sheets.Downloadable Answer Sheets: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Trivia-Brain-Break-Bundle-for-Middle-School-8447819MORE COLOR TRIVIA VIDEOSRed: Trivia: youtu.be/Q_iZnK2q83A?sub_confirmation=1 Orange Trivia: youtu.be/14icZuv6QIg_sub?confirmation=1Yellow Trivia: youtu.be/h58mBvsZeXc?sub_confirmation=1 Green Trivia: youtu.be/RMbmVvaMQjM?sub_confirmation=1 Black Trivia: youtu.be/fxF4hkODlrE?sub_confirmation=1 White Trivia: youtu.be/PELmsj6Xx9o?sub_confirmation=1 Check out the rest of the Word Nerd's brain break playlist! youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJaE9T7VogM63ZaYiHcjE-me Get 5 GOOD THINGS for TEACHERS delivered directly your inbox when you sign up here: www.amandazieba.com/teachersignupMusic Credit: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au** The videos in this Brain Break and Trivia Playlist were created in the spirit of providing: activities for classroom use that are both educational and fun, activities for family, holiday or workplace gatherings, and as an opportunity to increase your general knowledge in a fun wayThe trivia, facts and information displayed in this video were researched and organized by Amanda Zieba. The slides displayed in the video were individually designed by Amanda Zieba using copyright free material on Canva (www.canva.com) and edited by Amanda Zieba using HD Movie Maker Pro. Video creation (fact research, slide design, video editing, audio recording) took place in Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#brainbreak #funfriday #trivia #triviatuesday #quizgame #colorthemed #blue #bluequiz #bluetrivia #middleschoolactivity #teachertube #quizgame #triviagame #wordnerd #amandazieba #triviaquestionsandanswers #kidfriendlytrivia
The Boxcar Children Book 1 Ch1 Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-06-21 | Friday, June 21, 2024 - For this week’s First Chapter Friday read aloud video I’m going to share one of my favorite books from childhood, The Boxcar Children! Did you know that this series has 164 books!?!?! Start back at the very beginning with Amanda Zieba the Word Nerd with book one, chapter 1 of The Boxcar Children! As you listen, play along… write down the mystery quote one… word… at… a… time. Stay all the way to the end to see if you’ve written it down correctly. Book Blurb: Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny Alden are brothers and sisters―and they’re orphans! The only way they can stay together is to make it on their own. One night, during a storm, the children find an old red boxcar that keeps them warm and safe. They decide to make it their home.Grab your copy of The Boxcar Children from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/4erZzZX Box set books 1-4: amzn.to/3XGa6ue Box set books 1-12: amzn.to/4c6cEq2 Graphic Novel Version: amzn.to/4eqy7LU Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #classics #theboxcarchildren #gertrudechandlerwarner #boxcarchildren #mgbookseries #bookseries #readaloud #classicseries
5 Good Things For Teachers || Episode 18 June 20, 2024 Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-06-19 | Hey, hey there teacher friend! I hope this email finds you in the middle of doing all the things you love and that so far, summer is treating you right. I spend most of my time chauffeuring children and at ball games… but am managing to squeeze a few hours of work in each day as well. And I’m so glad I am because I’ve got some AMAZING things in the works for you. More on that later, but for now, let’s get to your 5 GOOD THINGS.1. Amazon Teacher Wishlist Giveaway2. Reading Pool Party 3. New Writing Prompts4. Teacher Letter to Parents5. Save the DateGood Thing Number One: Teaching Wishlist Clearing - instagram.com/reel/C8NP014PSkx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Good Thing Number Two: Fun summer school pool party reading idea! instagram.com/reel/C67MbXfxiwZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==Good Thing Number Three: New Writing Prompts teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-Prompts-for-Middle-Schoolers-Set-3-9-weeks-rubric-critique-form-11700943 Full Bundleteacherspayteachers.com/Product/EPIC-WRITING-BUNDLE-Writing-Prompts-slides-printables-for-Middle-Schoolers-8993961 Good Thing Number Four: Teacher Letter to parents… instagram.com/p/C7Zwgm_MDBG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Good Thing Number Five: Save the date… August 1st and 2ndLast but not least, I want you to save a couple of dates! Can you pretty please circle August 1 and 2 on your calendar? I’m going to be doing something SO VERY VERY COOL on those dates and I’d love for you to attend! My current plan is to have three time slots for you to participate. 9am, 2pm and 7pm (CST). So pick yours, put it in your phone and then wait patiently while I get all the details in order. :) Eeeek! I’m so excited! P.S. If you didn’t snag your FREE ticket to the MS ELA Summit (where I’ll be presenting!) you save your spot here. amandazieba--msela.thrivecart.com/2024-msela-all-access-pass P.P.S. If you want to say thanks for all the GOOD THINGS I send your way and fuel future content creation, click here to buy me a virtual cup of coffee. (Almost as good as the real thing!) ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd #middleschoolela #writingprompts #writingprompts #tpt #summerschool #wordnerd #amandazieba #5goodthings #teacherletter #parentletter#teachertube #teachervlog #teachingtips #teachingtips #teachersgottaplan #mselasummit #teacherconference #lessonplanforteachers #readingparty
First Chapter Friday All Thirteen Read Aloud with the Word Nerd Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-06-14 | Friday, June 14, 2024 - For this week’s First Chapter Friday read aloud video I’m going to share the incredible true survival story of the Tahi Boys Soccer Team, told in the award winning book All Thirteen by Christina Soontornvat. This nonfiction book shared facts, events and cultural details in an interesting and easy to digest format. If you like reading stories about kids who overcome challenges, learning about foreign countries, or exploring uncharted territories, you are going to love this book! Book Blurb: A unique account of the amazing Thai cave rescue told in a heart-racing, you-are-there style that blends suspense, science, and cultural insight. On June 23, 2018, twelve young players of the Wild Boars soccer team and their coach enter a cave in northern Thailand seeking an afternoon’s adventure. But when they turn to leave, rising floodwaters block their path out. The boys are trapped! Before long, news of the missing team spreads, launching a seventeen-day rescue operation involving thousands of rescuers from around the globe. As the world sits vigil, people begin to wonder: how long can a group of ordinary kids survive in complete darkness, with no food or clean water? Luckily, the Wild Boars are a very extraordinary "ordinary" group. Combining first hand interviews of rescue workers with in-depth science and details of the region's culture and religion, author Christina Soontornvat—who was visiting family in Northern Thailand when the Wild Boars went missing—masterfully shows how both the complex engineering operation above ground and the mental struggles of the thirteen young people below proved critical in the life-or-death mission. Meticulously researched, this page-turner includes an author’s note describing her experience meeting the team, detailed source notes, and a bibliography to fully immerse readers in the most ambitious cave rescue in history.Awards:A 2022 YALSA Amazing Audiobook for Young AdultsWinner of the 2021 Kirkus Prize for Young People's LiteratureA 2021 Newbery Honor BookA 2021 Robert F. Sibert Honor BookA 2021 YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults FinalistA 2021 Orbis Pictus Honor BookGrab your copy of All Thirteen from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3KFeAJU Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB For more Nonfiction books, check out this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJY6qk-QLLrm48hxq2qn0KCn Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #nonfiction #christinasoontornvat #truestory #allthirteen #thaisoccerteam #thailandcave #survivalstory #readaloud #survivalstories #caveadventure #caveflood #cavesurvival #wildboars #mgnonfiction #awardwinningbook #newberyhonor
A World Below First Chapter Friday Read Aloud Video with the Word Nerd Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-06-07 | Friday, June 7, 2024 - For this week’s First Chapter Friday read aloud video I’m going to share A World Below by Wesley King. This might be my favorite book of 2024 (at least, so far)! I don’t like to be scared… but this survival story had me on the edge of my seat from page one until the very end! Plus, I’ve been interested in caves and ancient civilizations since I was a kid, so this book sucked me in real quick! If you like field trips, classrooms full of unique kids, mysteries, strange environments, bioluminescence, science, adventure, and, and, and… you are going to LOVE this book. The best way I think I can describe this book is like if the book Hatchet happened to an 8th grade class on Avatar’s Pandora while on a field trip with the Magic School bus’s Ms. Frizzle. Have I hooked you? Great. Listen in! QUICK NOTE - The video says there is a mystery quote... but there is not. I'm not sure how the error occurred, but I can't add it in now that the video is posted and don't want to mess people up by changing the link with a new upload. Forgive me pretty please!!Book Blurb: Mr. Baker’s eighth grade class thought they were in for a normal field trip to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. But when an earthquake hits, their field trip takes a terrifying turn. The students are plunged into an underground lake…and their teacher goes missing. They have no choice but to try and make their way back above ground, even though no one can agree on the best course of action. The darkness brings out everyone’s true self. Supplies dwindle and tensions mount. Pretty and popular Silvia does everything she can to hide her panic attacks, even as she tries to step up and be a leader. But the longer she’s underground, the more frequent and debilitating they become. Meanwhile, Eric has always been a social no one, preferring to sit at the back of the class and spend evenings alone. Now, he finds himself separated from his class, totally by himself underground. That is, until he meets an unexpected stranger. Told from three different points of view, this fast-paced adventure novel explores how group dynamics change under dire circumstances. Do the students of Mr. Baker’s class really know each other at all? Or do they just think they do? It turns out, it’s hard to hide in the dark. Grab your copy of A World Below from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/4bKbqk6 Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #graphicnovels #fieldtrip #schoolfieldtrip #aworldbelow #wesleyking #survivalstory #carlsbadcavernsnationalpark #carlsbadcaverns #8thgrade #anxiety #earthquake #readaloud #survivalstories #caveadventure #cavecollapse #cavesurvival #ancientcivilizations #thekid
First Chapter Friday All is Nat Lost || MG Graphic Novel Read Aloud Video Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-06-05 | Friday, May 31, 2024 - In this week’s First Chapter Friday video the word nerd Amanda Zieba reads aloud from the All is Nat Lost, the fifth book in the New York Times bestselling series that began with Nat Enough by Maria Scriven. If you are a fourth or fifth grader that loves field trips, bikes, friends, American history or your pets, you are really going to enjoy this graphic novel. Blurb: Nat's class trip is a bigger adventure than she imagined! Nat is on an overnight class trip to Philadelphia, which is her first time in a big city without her parents. And it's a big deal because Nat's mom and dad are finally giving her the independence she's been longing for. But the trip is off to a bad start -- with one disaster after another -- and if things keep up, Nat's on track to lose her newfound freedom for good! Can she turn things around in time, or will her first chance with liberty be her last?Grab your copy of All is Nat Lost from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/4bQnwbE Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB And find more graphic novels here: youtube.com/watch?v=Z0QN5plI7d0&list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZ_OJxcw3r7rsWxlPbfdEew Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #graphicnovels #fieldtrip #schoolfieldtrip #philadelphia #lost #allisnatlost #mariascriven #natenough #readmorebooks #booksfor4thgraders #booksfor5thgraders #upperelementary #graphicnovelsforkids #readaloud #kidindependence #growingup
5 Good Things for Teachers Ep 17 June 6 2024 Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-06-05 | If you have made it to the paradise we all call summer vacation, hooray! I’m so glad you have arrived. Get a bevie and a book and soak up some sun! If you are hanging in the purgatory of summer school, hang in there, make the most of your shortened work days, and know that true summer is just around the corner! But for now, let’s get to those 5 GOOD THINGS, knowing that you can either stockpile them for next fall or use them yet this summer. 1. May and June FCF Line Up2. MS ELA SUMMIT3. New Projects4. 50 State Reading Road Trip5. Instagram Accounts to FollowGood Thing Number One: May and June FCF Line upThe Lazy Genius calls Maycember: thelazygeniuscollective.com/lazy/maycemberFirst Chapter Friday Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Good Thing Number Two: MS ELA SUMMITClick here to learn more and register for free: amandazieba--msela.thrivecart.com/2024-msela-all-access-passIf you’ve got any questions, put them in the comments! :)Good Thing Number Three: New ProjectsStay Tuned!!Good Thing Number Four: 50 State Reading Road Tripimaginationsoup.net/50-states-middle-grade-reading-road-tripGood Thing Number Five: Educators on IG Principal Lamb - instagram.com/principal_lambGerry Brooksprin - instagram.com/gerrybrooksprin Teachers Need a Laugh -instagram.com/teachersneedalaugh Schooled by Arturo - instagram.com/schooledbyarturo#teachertube #teachers #teachersofinstagram #teachervlog #lessonplanforteachers #middleschoolela#middlegradereadingrecommendations #mglit #middleschoolteacher #readingteacher #goodthings #5goodthings #amandazieba #wordnerd #middlegradebooks #readingroadtrip #mselasummit #onlineconference #onlinesummit #teacherconference #macember #lazygenius #imaginationsoup #principallamb #gerrbrookspin #schooledbyarturo #teachersneedalaugh
First Chapter Friday MG Graphic Novel Memoir || Kid War Reporter Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-05-30 | Friday, May 24, 2024 - In this week’s First Chapter Friday video the word nerd Amanda Zieba reads aloud from the middle grade graphic novel memoir: Muhammad Najem, War Reporter. If you are interested in foreign countries, kids in tough situations, overcoming obstacles, close knit families, or journalism, then this book is PERFECT for you. As Amanda reads aloud, she will show the pages on screen, so you’ll be able to both see and hear this incredible true story. Blurb: Muhammad Najem was only eight years old when the war in Syria began. He was thirteen when his beloved Baba, his father, was killed in a bombing while praying. By fifteen, Muhammad didn’t want to hide anymore—he wanted to act. He was determined to reveal what families like his were enduring in Syria: bombings by their own government and days hiding in dark underground shelters. Armed with the camera on his phone and the support of his family, he started reporting on the war using social media. He interviewed other kids like him to show what they hope for and dream about. More than anything, he did it to show that Syrian kids like his toddler brother and infant sister, are just like kids in any other country. Despite unimaginable loss, Muhammad was always determined to document the humanity of the Syrian people. Eventually, the world took notice. This tenderly illustrated graphic memoir is told by Muhammad himself along with CNN producer Nora Neus, who helped break Muhammad’s story and bring his family’s plight to an international audience."Inspiring and exciting, powerful and very poignant" —Anderson CooperGrab your copy of Muhammad Najem, Kid Reporter from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3wVjAa7 Teachers, for more background on Muhammad, watch this video:Link to Muhammad's Intro video: youtu.be/DrhPuaSuhwcWant to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #cnnnews #muhammadnajem #noraneus #graphicnovel #mgmemoir #readaloud #travelfromyourcouch #middlegradebooks #youngactivist #syria #syrianrefugees #booksaboutwar #cnn #kidreporter
First Chapter Friday Explorer Academy Book 1 || Read Aloud video with the Word Nerd Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-05-27 | Friday, May 17, 2024 - In this week’s First Chapter Friday video the word nerd Amanda Zieba reads aloud from the first book in National Geographic’s Explorer Academy series, The Nebula Secret by Trudi Trueit. If you love adventure and travel, but are feeling stuck at home, then this book is PERFECT for you. So buckle up and ride along as we go on this adventurous, dangerous, and thrilling global mission. Blurb: Cruz leaves his tranquil home in Hawaii to join 23 talented kids from around the globe to train at the Explorer Academy with the world's leading scientists to become the next generation of great explorers. But for Cruz, there's more at stake. No sooner has he arrived at the Academy than he discovers that his family has a mysterious past with the organization that could jeopardize his future. In the midst of codebreaking and cool classes, new friends, and augmented reality expeditions, Cruz must tackle the biggest question of all: Who is out to get him, and why?Grab your copy of The Nebula Secret from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3yH37qt Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #nationalgeographic #exploreracademy #book1 #truditrueit #readaloud #travelfromyourcouch #middlegradebooks #youngexplorers #adventurebooks #explorer #youngexplorer #actionadventure
Frindle by Andrew Clements Chapter 1 Read Aloud Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-05-17 | Friday, May 10, 2024 - In this week’s First Chapter Friday video the word nerd Amanda Zieba reads aloud the kidlit classic Frindle by award winning author Andrew Clements. If you are looking for a quick and funny book, this one will definitely be a hit. Make sure you stay through the whole video so you can discover the secret book quote hidden throughout… one word at a time, like a literary treasure hunt. Blurb: Is Nick Allen a troublemaker? He really just likes to liven things up at school -- and he's always had plenty of great ideas. When Nick learns some interesting information about how words are created, suddenly he's got the inspiration for his best plan ever...the frindle. Who says a pen has to be called a pen? Why not call it a frindle? Things begin innocently enough as Nick gets his friends to use the new word. Then other people in town start saying frindle. Soon the school is in an uproar, and Nick has become a local hero. His teacher wants Nick to put an end to all this nonsense, but the funny thing is frindle doesn't belong to Nick anymore. The new word is spreading across the country, and there's nothing Nick can do to stop it. From bestselling and award-winning author Andrew Clements, a quirky, imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words that will have readers inventing their own words.Grab your copy of Frindle from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3QISTfpWant to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #frindle #awardwinningbooks #andrewclements #frindlebook #readaloud #5thgradereadalouds #booksfor5thgraders #troublemaker #pen #middlegradebooks
5 Good Things for Teachers || Episode 16 (May 16, 2024) Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-05-15 | Hello Teacher Friend! I know your time is short and I’ve got tons of good things to share, so I’m not going to waste a single second with idle chit chat. We’re just going to dive in to the list, like I know we are all ready to dive into summer! Let’s do this!In this edition of 5 GOOD THINGS for TEACHERS you’ll find1. Classroom Cereal Standalone Stories 2. End of the Year Reading Recap3. End of the Year Quote Activity4. Big News Coming/Email5. Canva Meme MakerGood Thing #1 Classroom Cereal Standalone Stories classroomcereal.com/?af=FILK3 Good Thing #2 End of the Year Reading RecapI give more information, direction and implementation ideas in this quick video. youtube.com/watch?v=UH7MykWG5yI Download the resource here (that includes printable planning sheets, a one pager for a really quick non-discussion filler activity, introduction/sharing slides and more).teacherspayteachers.com/Product/End-of-Year-Reading-Reflection-Recap-Activity-11580840 Good Thing #3 Motivational Quote ActivityPrintable Resource: briantolentino.com/find-your-quoteVideo: youtube.com/watch?v=h0oR_kNyPUo Quote Posters: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Motivational-Quote-Poster-Set-for-your-ClassroomHome-Office-3293127 Donate to Brian: briantolentino.com/donate Good Thing #4 BIG NEWS COMING/EmailAdd your personal/summer email address here: wordnerd.myflodesk.com/summersubscribers Good Thing #5 Canva Meme Makercanva.com/memes/templatesI know we are all just trying to get to the end of the school year. When you completely punt and have zero structure it makes the days long for everyone… try to toss in some stuff that is still slightly educational, but also on the fun and loose side… and everyone will come out a winner. Hopefully the activities in this edition of 5 GOOD THINGS for TEACHERS will help you accomplish those goals and help you cross the finish line into summer.All my best friends!~ Amanda#5goodthings #goodthings #middleschoolelateacher#readingteacher #elateacher #teachingtips #endoftheyear #classroomactivities #canva #memes #teachermemes #schoolmemes #iteach6th #iteach7th #iteach8th #k12education #wordnerd #amandazieba #motivationalquote
End of Year Reading Reflection Activity for Grades 4-12 Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-05-14 | Use this fun and interactive end of the year reading reflection resource to help students: reflect on their past year of reading, identify favorites (books, authors, genres, formats, etc.), recognize and celebrate reading achievements, and make plans to continue reading in the future.In this video, Amanda Zieba, the Word Nerd, will explain how to do the reading bag activity, show samples, and give several lesson implementation ideas. Link to printable resource/templates/slides: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/End-of-Year-Reading-Reflection-Recap-Activity-11580840 In the printable/digital resource you will find:- Reading Recap Reflection 1 Pager - Reading Bag Directions (written and video versions)- Slides for Introducing Project and Sharing Completed Reading Bags- Reading Bag Printable and Example- Links to the resource and slides on Canva so you can adjust and edit the resource to fit your student needs and personal preferences. No matter how you use them, I hope you take time to celebrate the reading wins and growth you’ve achieved this year. Happy teaching and happy reading and happy SUMMER VACATION!
What I Carry || First Chapter Friday Read Aloud Video with the Word Nerd Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-05-10 | Friday, May 3, 2024 - In this week’s First Chapter Friday video I read What I Carry by Jennifer Longo. If you like books that feature tough characters and tug on your heartstrings, you are going to LOVE this one. Make sure you stay through the whole video so you can discover the secret book quote hidden throughout… one word at a time, like a literary treasure hunt. Personally, I’d recommend this book for 8th grade and up. There are a few swear words and some high school aged situations that involve drinking and physical relationships. Nothing graphic, but if you aren’t in 8th grade yet, you might want to wait on this one. TEACHERS if you are showing this aloud in class and want to censor the swearing, I say the word “shit” at the 8:39 min mark and “hell” at 11:00. Despite these “warnings” this book is fantastic and I loved it with my whole heart. I hope you enjoy it too. Blurb: Growing up in foster care, Muir has lived in many houses. And if she's learned one thing, it is to Pack. Light. Carry only what fits in a suitcase. Toothbrush? Yes. Socks? Yes. Emotional attachment to friends? Foster families? A boyfriend? Nope! There's no room for any additional baggage. Muir has just one year left before she ages out of the system. One year before she's free. One year to avoid anything - or anyone - that could get in her way. Then she meets Francine. And Kira. And Sean. And everything changes.Grab your copy of What I Carry from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3URHUD8 Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Find more Foster Care books and read alouds here: One For the Murphys - youtu.be/DEWZfZHpYHY Free Verse - youtu.be/FW5CYVceXYE Fighting Words - youtu.be/SWXW9s46un4 A Place to Hang the Moon - youtu.be/y68CFcOOa0o The War That Saved My Life - youtu.be/9t0XqLCmjNA Greetings from Witness Protection - youtu.be/9t0XqLCmjNA Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #fostercare #agingout #booksaboutfostercare #yalit #youngadultliterature #toughkids #naturelover #johnmuir #nationalparks #whaticarry #jenniferlongo #highschoolbooks #firstchatperfridayforhighschoolers
First Chapter Friday Becoming Muhammad Ali Read Aloud Video Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-05-03 | Friday, April 26, 2024 - April is national poetry month and the perfect time to read this two perspective, co-written, novel in verse (with a few prose chapters thrown in!). If you are a fan of boxing, of biographies, of sports stories or famous historical figures… you are going to love this book co-written by Kwame Alexander and James Patterson. Blurb: Before he was a household name, Cassius Clay was a kid with struggles like any other. James Patterson and Kwame Alexander join forces to vividly depict his life up to age seventeen in both prose and verse, including his childhood friendships, struggles in school, the racism he faced, and his discovery of boxing. Readers will learn about Cassius’s family and neighbors in Louisville, Kentucky, and how Cassius began training as an amateur boxer at age twelve. Before long, he won his first Golden Gloves bout and began his transformation into the unrivaled Muhammad Ali. Fully authorized by and written in cooperation with the Muhammad Ali estate, Becoming Muhammad Ali dynamically captures the budding charisma and youthful personality of one of the greatest sports heroes of all timeGrab your copy of Becoming Muhammad from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/4aW9zsd Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Check out the educator’s guide for this book here: hachettebookgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/BecomingMuhammadAli.Guide_.pdf Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB See more Novel in Verse Read Alouds here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJYz6T7HqBMbDYyVahvxl3yl Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #schoolfight #poetrymonth #novelinverse #mgnovelinverse #muhammadali #jamespatterson #kwamealexander #cowrite #poetry #poetrybook #april #twopov #boxingbook #cassiusclay #biographicalnovel #famouspeople
5 GOOD THINGS for TEACHERS || Episode 15 || May 2024 Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-04-30 | Hey there teacher friend! Total transparency. I'm recording this early... and as you listen, I am smack dab in the middle of a three day field trip with my 5th grader. We are at the same environmental learning center I took my students to when my own kids were babies and toddlers. It’s a fun, full circle moment to be able to go back. The forecast looks suspicious, so send us all the good weather vibes you’ve got and then read on for this edition’s line up of 5 GOOD THINGS for TEACHERS.In this edition you’ll find: my Birthday Freebie update, the Nat Geo for Kids Website, First Chapter Friday Posters, a Spoons Review Game and online Shopping links. Good Thing #1 Birthday FreebieIf you haven’t yet, grab this amazing resource here. teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Theme-A-Story-Element-Lesson-Direct-Instruction-Activity-Assessment-10992320 Good Thing #2 Nat Geo for Kids Websitekids.nationalgeographic.comGood Thing #3 First Chapter Friday PostersGrab yours here: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Editable-First-Chapter-Friday-Classroom-Posters-10165460Good Thing #4 Spoons Review GameGet the resource here: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Editable-Spoons-Review-Game-Template-Customize-For-Any-Topic-or-Class-7343606Watch this game in action in this IG reel: instagram.com/p/C54KTCMynikGood Thing #5 Shoppingamandazieba.com/top-notch-teaching-resourcesOkay, that’s it. I hope that you have a good rest of your week and also that I managed to sneak my Diet Pepsi into the field trip. 3 Days without lattes and wine is sacrifice enough! To do it without ANY caffeine?!?!? Cruel and unusual punishment. Until next time, teacher friends! - AmandaFuel future content creation with a donation to my Ko-Fi fund here: ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd
First Chapter Friday Eb and Flow || Chapter 1 Novel in Verse Read Aloud Video and Author Interview Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-04-26 | Friday, April 19, 2024 - April is national poetry month and the perfect time to read this two perspective, contemporary novel in verse. Two kids, one fight. No one thinks they are wrong. I absolutely soared through this book and think middle grade readers will have the same experience. Fast paced, relatable characters, tense conflict. Listen in as I read chapter 1 and then get a copy for yourself so you can finish! Blurb: Ebony and De’Kari (aka Flow) do not get along. How could they when their cafeteria scuffle ended with De'Kari's ruined shoes, Ebony on the ground, and both of them with ten days of at-home suspension? Now Eb and Flow have two weeks to think about and explain their behavior—to their families, to each other, and ultimately to themselves. Award-winning author Kelly J. Baptist delivers a novel in verse that follows Eb and Flow as they navigate their parallel lives. Single-parent homes, tight funds, and sibling dynamics provide a balancing act for the growing tweens. And whether they realize it or not, these two have a lot more in common than they think.Grab your copy of Eb and Flow from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon → amzn.to/3w76t5m Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Listen to Kelly’s Daughter’s Musical Score that accompanies the novel here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw07JMrx3oKdUUTtwQbS3U1EMhZ1B7jI8 STAY TUNED FOR AN INTERVIEW WITH THE COMPOSER! :) Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB See more Novel in Verse Read Alouds here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJYz6T7HqBMbDYyVahvxl3yl Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #schoolfight #poetrymonth #novelinverse #mgnovelinverse #kellyiswrite #poetry #poetrybook #april #kellybaptist #booksoundtrack #twopov #ebandflow #mambamentality #authorinterview #twosidestoeverystory
Enemies in the Orchard Ch 1 || Novel in Verse Read Aloud Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-04-23 | Friday, April 12, 2024 - April is national poetry month and the perfect time to read this two perspective, historical novel in verse. Based on true events from WWII, this story will suck you in and keep you quickly turning the pages! So, listen in as I, Amanda Zieba the Word Nerd, read you Enemies of the Orchard by Dana Vanderlugt. Blurb: It’s October 1944, and while Claire’s older brother, Danny, is off fighting in World War II, her dad hires a group of German POWs to help with the apple harvest on their farm. Claire wants nothing to do with the enemies in the orchard, until she meets soft-spoken, hardworking Karl. Could she possibly have something in common with a German soldier?Karl, meanwhile, grapples with his role in the war as he realizes how many lies Hitler’s regime has spread—and his complacency in not standing up against them. But his encounters with Claire give him hope that he can change and become the person he wants to be. Inspired by the little-known history of POW labor camps in the United States, this lyrical verse novel is told in alternating first-person poems by two young people on opposite sides of the war. Against a vivid backdrop of home front tensions and daily life, intimate entries reveal Claire’s and Karl's hopes and struggles, and their growing friendship even as the war rages on. What are their chances of connection, of redemption, of peace?Grab your copy of Enemies in the Orchard from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon: amzn.to/3QhpzMT Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Grab the Educator’s Guide from Dana Here: zonderkidz.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/enemies-in-the-orchard-teacher-guide-august-2023.pdf?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=271258655&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8MeaKNqDR02ZGaJv5I1a2v9t1lOudZILbPhWwcKlZ8AsMtGsWfcFM-jURfEukARoRCGIPpscdN3tWAEI3Gl87gT7LR8w Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB See more Novel in Verse Read Alouds here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJYz6T7HqBMbDYyVahvxl3yl Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #sadbooks #poetrymonth #novelinverse #wwIIstory #siblingdeath #historicalfictio #historicalpoetry #poetry #poetrybook #april #appleorchardstory #enemiesintheorchard #enemiesintheorchardbook #danavanderlugt #teachertoauthor #twopov #americavsgermany #authorinterview
5 GOOD THINGS for TEACHERS ep 14 April 28 2024 Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-04-16 | In this edition of 5 Good Things for Teachers you’ll find: A Confession, 2 New Interviews, Paper Airplane Book Reports, Free Reader’s Theater Scripts and reading inspiration from Oliver Speaks on Instagram.Good Thing #1 - First Chapter Friday Playlist (160 + titles and counting!) youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Good Thing #2 - 2 NEW InterviewsAnother reason why I’m behind on my FCFs is that I have two AMAZING interviews lined up, but struggled to get all the calendar ducks in a row to get them out on time. So, in the very near future, you can expect to see and hear from Dana Vanderlugt and Kelly J. Bapsite about their brilliant and beautiful novels in verse. Videos and links coming soon! Good Thing #3 - Paper Airplane Book ReportLearn how to implement this strategy here readitwriteitlearnit.com/post/five-alternatives-to-book-reports-that-students-will-love Grab the printable here: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Response-Projects-for-Secondary-ELA-4926060 Good Thing #4 - FREE Readers TheatersClick here to see the 9 free readers theater scripts.justtwoteachers.com/the-language-standards Grab a rubric for assessing reader’s theater performances, here. teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Rubric-for-Readers-Theaters-567705 Good Thing #5 - Oliver SpeaksYouTube: youtube.com/@oliverspeaks1/videosInstagram: instagram.com/oliverspeaks1Feeling inspired? I hope so!!Now, go do the dang thing! You’ve got this!~ AmandaTo get 5 GOOD THINGS for TEACHERS delivered to your inbox (and 6 days of TEACHER FREEBIES) sign up here: www.amandazieba.com/teachersignup
Free Verse || First Chapter Friday || Novel in Verse and Prose Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-04-05 | Friday, April 5, 2024 - April is national poetry month and the perfect time to read this award winning and heart wrenching story interspersed with poems written by the main character. If you are a fan of Sharon Creech's Walk Two Moons, Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s One for the Murphys or Jaqueline Woodson’s Locomotion, you are going to love this story set in a West Virginia coal mining town. Make sure to listen all the way to the end to discover the mystery quote that appears on screen, one word at at time! Blurb: When her brother Michael dies in a fire, Sasha Harless has no one left and nowhere to turn. He’d been her caretaker since their mother ran off and their father died in the mines. And before his accident, Michael made Sasha promise him that she would leave Caboose, West Virginia for a better life someday. Now, she’s in foster care, feeling more stuck and broken than ever. Trying to cope with her brother’s death, Sasha returns to school and is introduced to poetry and finds it's a new way to express herself when spoken words just won’t do. She even discovers family she didn’t know she had, including a younger Mikey Harless, who’s just as broken as she is. But just as she’s settling into her new life, tragedy strikes the mine her cousin works in. While fearing the worst, Sasha takes Mikey and finally makes her escape. But will running from Caboose really fix the pain in Sasha’s life, or will she have to discover a new way to heal? Free Verse was the 2012 winner of the Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship through the PEN American Center. Grab your copy of Free Verse from your school or classroom library or if you can’t find it there, order it from Alex at my favorite indie bookstore: Birdy’s Bookstore. birdysbookstore.com/. It is also available for purchase on Amazon: amzn.to/4aERrCv Want to increase student engagement? Try these First Chapter Friday worksheets, with both generic response and novel specific sheets for each video in this playlist! Grab them here → teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Grab the Mystery Quote Resource Here: teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Chapter-Friday-Mystery-Quote-Worksheets-Implementation-Ideas-9546402 Take a look at all of the other First Chapter Friday videos in this playlist → youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJZCLWm7CR4yX93l3xN2conB Wanna say thanks and fuel future creations? Buy me a virtual cup of coffee for making this (and many other!) amazing free video resources for your classroom. Click here → ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerdAnd finally, don't forget to SUBSCRIBE this channel for more great videos from the Word Nerd! Just click here: bit.ly/wordnerdonyoutube ** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books, and celebrating storiesEach video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **#wordnerd #mglit #readingrecommendations #amandazieba #firstchapterfriday #teachertube #mglit #sadbooks #poetrymonth #freeverse #westvirginia #coalminingtown #siblingdeath #awardwinningfiction #sarahdooley #poetry #poetrybook #poetryandprose
5 Good Things for Teachers Ep 13 April 4 2024 Amanda Zieba Learning with the Word Nerd 2024-04-04 | Guess what? We’ve made it to April. Woohoo! Spring Break is in our rear view mirror and scenes of summer should be starting to pop up soon. I hope that this email finds you happy, healthy and in a good head space. I also hope that you find this edition’s of 5 GOOD THINGS for TEACHERS helpful, inspiring, and fun!In this edition of 5 GOOD THINGS for TEACHERS you’ll find…1. Poetry Resources2. Text Analysis One Pager3. Wise Words4. Caitlin Clark Quote Corrections5. Fun Instrumental PlaylistGood Thing #1 Poetry ResourcesFree Figurative Language Posters - teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Technique-Posters-644844 Poetry Format Powerpoint teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Format-Powerpoint-645327 Novel in Verse Playlistyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLpVe6VlpCwJYz6T7HqBMbDYyVahvxl3ylNovel Formats Videoyoutube.com/watch?v=nwJAHLfBItE&list=PLpVe6VlpCwJYz6T7HqBMbDYyVahvxl3yl&index=10&t=50sGood Thing #2 Text Analysis One PagerOne Pager - amazon.com/dp/B0869Q1PPM?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk Reminder, each of the other annual packs also have one pagers… 2021 - Reflection Sheets and Sketch Notesteacherspayteachers.com/Product/Read-Aloud-Novel-Study-Graphic-Organizer-Reading-Response-Journal-6th-7th-8th-71581412022 - Bingo Board and Book Cover Comparison Sheetsteacherspayteachers.com/Product/Read-Aloud-Novel-Study-Graphic-Organizer-Reading-Response-Journal-2022-75879922023 - Mindfulness Minute Coloring Sheets (Reading Themed)teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Read-Aloud-Novel-Study-Graphic-Organizer-Reading-Response-Journal-2023-8953592Full Bundle - teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Word-Nerds-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Video-Aloud-Resource-Bundle-8469855 Good Thing #3 - Wise WordsGrab the printable from the visual version of this newsletter.Good Thing #4 Quote CorrectionsBrian Tolentino's Caitlin Clark Quotation Correction Activity briantolentino.com/edit-and-rewrite-the-quotes-by-caitlin-clark Click here to see the full line up! briantolentino.com/editing-activities Good Thing #5 Fun Instrumental PlaylistPlaylist - youtube.com/watch?v=X-yJhGcS7U4 Alright teacher friend, that’s what I’ve got for you this time! If you wish-list includes something you didn’t find in this line up, hit reply and let me know what I can create or curate for you. For now, I’m going to sign off. Sending you all the energized and happy vibes you deserve! - Amanda#5goodthings #teachingtips #teachervlog #teachergiveaway #wordnerd #amandazieba #readingrecommendations #firstchapterfriday #brainbreaks #studentengagement
